Hi All,

My name is Art and while I'm new to later Jaguars, I'm not to the classic car arena, I am . I'm a avid car buff and currently have an MGB Roadster and, just for diversity, an RX-7 Rotary 5-spd Convertible. Now I've added a 1999 XK8 Roadster.

On a lark, I bought an essentially non-running, long sitting 1999 XK8 from someone in my area this past July. The body has some minor dents, but is generally complete and in good shape. Interior also shows normal wear, but is in overall good condition.

I found out the engine was changed about the time the car went into storage (the owner's husband fell ill and passed-away, so they never got back to sorting it out). The replacement is fairly well documented, so I can see it's the correct series engine and it's mileage, but don't know if it's from another XK8 or XJ8 sedan. The car has 104K miles on it; the engine about 90K. Trans is original ZF automatic. I did get it running, but the electronics are totally fouled. The dash looks like a Christmas tree with all the lights and codes and it will not engage the trans properly. Seems to only go into restricted performance in a high gear, so it had to be towed wherever it went.

The local Jaguar dealer was useless and I won't bore anyone with the details, but their final diagnosis was it needed a new transmission. Everything I've read here seems to indicate that with an engine swap, nothing 'talks' to each other and you've got to straighten that out before you can see what's really up. And it seems many of you have the experience and understanding of this, so here I am. I've now turned my Jaguar over to a local transmission shop that I've worked with before and does deal regularly with Jaguars. Mine is currently parked next to a pristine XJS Cabrio with similar issues at the shop.

I've always wanted a Jaguar my whole life in the worst way, and may have gone about just that way. Any advice, direction, warnings, etc. you can impart, I'm very much looking to hear.

For the MGs we say "Safety Fast!" as a salutation. Not yet sure what the proper one for Jaguars yet.

Thanks in advance.

Art

 

 

welcome to the forum - enjoy!!

 

Ooo! A Roaster guy!
A car as it was intended to be, open cockpit; no roof to get between driver and sky. Or trees. Or ......
Good Onya!!
Welcome to the forums from ElinorB.
(';')

 

Hi Elinor,

Thanks. Very glad to be here and join in. And though at least the moment it's little more than a large (but beautiful) lawn ornament, very happy to be part of the Jaguar crowd.

 

 

Thanks. Glad to be here.

British and French cars. A real glutton for punishment.

I had a 1986 505 Turbo S for over 7 years/170K miles. I loved that car, but just couldn't get parts for it easily here and it was my primary driver.

I swear the dealer thought the translation of Peugoet into English was "it's supposed to sound like that..."

 

Welcome to the forums.

 

Welcome to Jaguar Forums Art,

Good to have you with us.
Enjoy the forum.

If you haven't done so already you should add your car details to your signature to help others to help you.
If you need help with getting around and using the forum follow this link for some help Forum Help